Wednesday’s “First Call” has an interesting characterization of the Aaron Rodgers situation from a Steelers minority owner. Another Pitt player is getting a chance with the Steelers. Pitt also may be getting some good news on the basketball recruiting trail.

And Cameron Heyward likes the fit of a fellow Ohio State alum on the Steelers front seven.

Dodging the question

Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull was on CNBC Tuesday. He is the co-chair of TWG Global. That’s a conglomerate that invests in multiple industries, including artificial intelligence, as well as sports and entertainment.

Tull granted an interview about AI when he was asked if Aaron Rodgers would be suiting up as a Steelers quarterback.

“I’m here to talk about AI, and that’s a more complex issue than artificial intelligence,” Tull quipped.

That’s interesting. Because for the past few months, all we’ve heard from team president Art Rooney II, general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin is that everything is moving along and that Rodgers’ signing is expected eventually.

Those three have always had a laissez-faire, fait accompli attitude that Rodgers will sign whenever he signs, and the time he misses won’t be a big deal. And even if he doesn’t sign, que sera sera, there is always Mason Rudolph!

Now Tull is saying, “It’s more complicated than AI?”

Hmm.

I know Tull was justmaking a joke and trying to be glib to avoid making an official proclamation from a minority ownership position. But it does cast a different light on the situation as we approach mid-May, and still no sign of Rodgers coming on board.

Ringing endorsement

It’s not a surprise that Cameron Heyward is high on the Steelers’ decision to draft Jack Sawyer in the fourth round. After all, both men played defensive line at Ohio State.

But during his latest “Not Just Football” podcast, the Steelers defensive captain cosigned on the pick from a Steelers schematic perspective.

“Similar scheme — on defense especially. It’s a hybrid defense,” Heyward said. “You play 3-4, you play 4-3. It allows a player to excel at the next level. (Sawyer) is prepared for that.”

Heyward also thinks Sawyer’s presence will help from a rotational point of view.

“I think we were always looking for a third or fourth outside linebacker along with Nick Herbig,” Heyward said. “When you’re able to have interchangeability between T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and then bring on a Nick Herbig and a Jack Sawyer, that’s a (heck) of rotation. It only creates more havoc on the field, keeps T.J. fresh. It keeps Alex fresh.”

Sawyer played in 55 games for Ohio State (29 starts). He had 144 career tackles (28½ for loss). That included 23 sacks, six forced fumbles,15 quarterback hurries and 11 pass breakups.

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Across the parking lot

Another Pitt Panther is getting a look from the Steelers’ upcoming rookie minicamp. First, the Steelers invited edge rusher Nate Matlack.

Now safety P.J. O’Brien has announced he’ll be getting a tryout.

O’Brien played in all 13 games for the Panthers in 2024. He started three at free safety, racking up 33 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Panthers kicker Ben Sauls also latched on with the team as an undrafted free agent. Defensive back Eddie Faulkner IV (son of the Steelers running backs coach) is getting a minicamp tryout, too.

The only defensive back the Steelers selected in the draft was seventh-rounder Donte Kent.

G’day mate!

The Pitt basketball team is on the verge of landing a significant recruit, Australian forward Roman Siulepa

On Tuesday, PittsburghSportsNow.com ran a quote from a source who said “Hey mate, I can confirm he is 100% joining Pittsburgh.”

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The outlet reports former Panther Lamar Patterson has been a driving force behind steering Siulepa to Pitt. The two were teammates with South West Metro Pirates in Australia.

Siulepa is a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward. He’s largely viewed as an NBA prospect. The soon-to-be 18-year-old Queensland native was MVP of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp and MVP of the Australian U20 National Championship.

If Siulepa joins the Panthers, he’ll be the second Australian recruit for this year. The team also landed 6-foot-8 forward Henry Cody Lau last week.